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September 15, 2004
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its Draft Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on wind energy development on September 9th. The report assesses the environmental, social, and economic
impacts associated with wind energy development on BLM-administered
lands in 11 western states, and evaluates various management
approaches for the BLM to mitigate potential impacts while
facilitating wind energy development. Examining several options for
the BLM to take regarding wind power (including doing nothing), the
Draft Programmatic EIS finds the best option would be for the BLM to
implement a comprehensive Wind Energy Development Program, which would
establish BLM policies and best management practices. In addition, BLM
would amend a number of its land use plans to address wind energy
development and to identify wind-energy exclusion areas. However,
reviews would still be required for each project to address site
specific and species-specific concerns, and these reviews could lead
to additional mitigation measures. Public comments on the Draft
Programmatic EIS will be accepted for 90 days after the announcement.
See the BLM press release or go directly to the Draft Programmatic EIS.
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